Starting up

[THolden]

I have karaoke equipment, and I want to record performances into my laptop. How do I get it from the mixer to the PC "economically"? ANyonme have a set-up like this that I can easily duplicate?

 

[apl]

If your karaoke machine has a line out (NOT A SPEAKER OUT) you can plug that into your computer's line in (DO NOT PLUG A SPEAKER LEVEL OUTPUT INTO YOUR PC!). Then you'll need some software like ntrack.

 

[scrubs]

I have karaoke equipment, and I want to record performances into my laptop. How do I get it from the mixer to the PC "economically"? ANyonme have a set-up like this that I can easily duplicate?

I don't have this setup, but it shouldn't be that difficult. The cheapest way would be to run line outs from your mixer to the line in on your laptop. Depending on the outputs (RCA, 1/4" TS, 1/4" TRS) from your mixer, you'll just need the appropriate adapter to plug them into the 1/8" stereo line-in. Chances are, however, that your laptop has a crappy soundcard with poor A/D converters.

In that case, you could get an interface that connects via USB, FireWire, or PCMCIA (see: http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/cat--Audio-Interfaces--2418). USB is cheap, but not always the most reliable. FireWire is more expensive, but better. If you got a multi-input interface, you could send the vocals and music to separate tracks and mix them together afterwards.

You'll also want some recording software so you can mix those hot Karaoke moments. Kristal audio engine is free for personal (non-commercial) use. It should work for you. Alternately, get something like Cakewalk Home Studio, Cubase SE, or N-Track.